Democratic Party rivals attack Jeong Cheong-rae over 'anti-Lee' remarks

Tensions are rising within the Democratic Party as leadership candidates clash over loyalty to President Lee Jae-myung. Former party leader Jeong Cheong-rae asserted that anyone speaking against President Lee is inherently against him, stating, "Those who mention anti-Lee are anti-Lee, and those who mention division are divisionists." He added, "Those who mention anti-Lee division are the actual anti-Lee divisionists." Jeong vowed to focus on "integration and reform" and avoid negativity. However, presidential hopeful Kim Min-seok countered that an "anti-Lee trend objectively exists." Speaking on MBC radio, Kim argued that the current party leadership's performance over the past year has been insufficient for generating new policy agendas and national tasks. He suggested that leadership changes are necessary due to "competence issues" and "self-serving politics."

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Those who mention anti-Lee are anti-Lee, and those who mention division are divisionists. Those who mention anti-Lee division are the actual anti-Lee divisionists.

Song Young-gil, another contender, directly challenged Jeong's sincerity. On YTN radio, Song stated that President Lee has repeatedly indicated his discomfort with Jeong's actions, questioning Jeong's claims of unity. "Why are you lying like that?" Song asked, drawing an analogy: "If you dislike a friend, would they be happy if you loudly proclaimed your love for them in public?" Song also suggested Jeong's bid for party leadership was an attempt to build his own power base, citing the creation of 800 special advisors during Jeong's previous tenure as evidence of a focus on self-preservation rather than electoral victory.

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An anti-Lee trend objectively exists.

Kim further criticized Jeong's handling of potential mergers with the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, calling it a "bomb declaration" that damaged the party. He accused Jeong of having "an excessive desire for display." The exchanges highlight a deep division within the party as it navigates its future leadership and its relationship with the current administration.

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Why are you lying like that? If you dislike a friend, would they be happy if you loudly proclaimed your love for them in public?